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Wednesday, 21 January 2015

A Popular Block Indeed!!

I have to say that when I first started my journey on this quilt bee, I wasn't really prepared for what it was going to entail or for the vast amount of talent, vision and creativity that I was going to come across. On first glance through the book there were quite a few that really didn't appeal to me, in fact out of the 12 possible blocks there were only 2 that really caught my eye. I started to think that I wasn't going to enjoy this at all and maybe had made a mistake in committing myself to not one but two quilt bees!! Luckily I couldn't have been more wrong, I have learnt so much from being part of this wonderful experience about fabric choices, color combinations and block choices. My eyes have truly been opened.

One such block that really didn't appeal to me initially was the block for September - Trellis Crossroads, made for the purpose of this book by Jessica Kelly you can see her blog and her thoughts on her block/bee experience by clicking on her name.

This block has been a popular choice in a number of quilt bees all over the world, each one looking completely different to any other, some people used batiks or brightly colored prints whilst others have favored more muted, pastel tones.

I had to make 2 of these blocks recently, one in purple and blue florals and the other in black and white. The process is relatively straight forward and the instructions - when you work out what is needed for only one person rather than twelve - are well set out.

To start with you need to cut your selected fabrics into rectangles 2 3/4" x 5" and sew them together in groups of four, they then get cut in half so you have 2 columns of the same print measuring 2 1/2" x 2 3/4", the trick is to mix them up in such a way that when stitched together the same prints don't meet at the corners.

As well as the prints or 'main' fabrics, there is a background fabric to contend with - 1 long strip and 1 square which gets cut in half! One column of printed squares is attached to either side of the background strip and the square - now cut in half to make triangles- is attached to the middle of the printed squares...... admit it, I've lost you?! I've lost myself to but as they are not my instructions to share I thoroughly recommend you buy the book..... it explains all.

I escaped with only a mild disaster.......

Once everything is attached each section needs to be squared up to 6 3/4" by lining the 45 degree line of the ruler directly in the middle of the center strip, thankfully I had my wing woman - Kerry Q on hand to talk me through the muddle.

And then all the squares came together wonderfully and the blocks went together in a jiffy

Kerry Q also had to make Trellis Crossroads for her Queen Bee this month in lovely shades of pink and grey, it always goes so much better when you have a friend to talk it through with.

Monday, 19 January 2015

Happy Birthday Chantal

Christmas Eve marks the day that this wonderful human was born, and I'm thankful everyday that she was!! And this year (last year) she turned 30 and therefore by default is entitled to a rather special present in my opinion! It's been months in the making.....mostly down to laziness, sadness and sickness but I got there in the end a multitude of bright shiny stars, for my bright shiny star. When making a girly present to go into a home she shares with a boy, does one need to take this manliness into account?? Uuuuuuummm NO!! Sorry Mark, but it was flowers, flowers, flowers and hearts all the way.

I did however take into account the colours of the house and their decor, even though it is intended for Chantal, and went with her favourite turquoise in as many shades and varieties as I had (and bought) and mixed that up with 50 Shades of Beige!

I trawled through many a book to find "stars" that lept out at me and even invented a few of my own, all with my bestest in mind and things that remind me of her.

We have been through a great deal her and I with enough chocolate to fill 3 Olympic sized swimming pools (that's no exaggeration either....scarily) and come out stronger the other side. We have laughed, dear Lord how we have laughed, cried, danced, dieted, Zumba-ed, run, crawled, passed out and everything in between.

She helped me move into my house after she had been at work the whole day, without complaint and with chocolate in hand and on her birthday she brought me Lemsip, Soothers and Cellotape because I was to ill to get it myself. So it seemed only fitting that her quilt was made of stars, totally unique, beautiful and ever so slightly wonky stars!!!

It was a great success and she totally loved it...lets be honest did she really have a choice?!! On to the next 25 projects I have to get done.....

Sunday, 4 January 2015

Happy New Year!!

I can't believe it's a new year already, this year (last year) has just flown by and what a year it has been!! Some incredible highs and some hit the ground rock bottom lows......here we go!

In February my bestest got married and oh my what a magical day it was, now I know you will be thinking that I'm biased so obviously I'm going to say that, but it truly truly was!!! Everything was just perfect, the setting, her dress, the flowers, the band it was like being apart of an amazing film and I can honestly say I don't think I've ever cried so much from happiness in my life!!

In May this little monkey was born and totally brightened up my life with her tiny hands, those darling eyes and an infectious giggle like no other.

My little Amélie bear continues to get more and more beautiful every day, so talented is she that Santa even called upon her this year to help out with elf duty.

More recently, last week as it happens this little monkey made his appearance, unfortunately I have to wait 47 more sleeps until I get to snuggle up to him, his big (but still little) brother and my other favourite who sadly doesn't live here....can not wait!!

The rapid spiral down to 30 is fast approaching me.....shriek!! And I never thought that after nearly 9 years I would be heading there single, but life has a funny way of pulling the rug out from under you without warning and that's what happened nearly 5 months ago. It's been a massive adjustment, but I have to say not quite as scary as I thought it was going to be largely due to these wonderful gems that have kept me going with their love presents, cuddles, encouragement, support and down right hysterical behaviour!! There have been times when I honestly couldn't breathe and I thought I might just wet myself, and I for that I can not thank you enough. You know who you are, and I love you lots.

Unfortunately I still continue to lose my battle to Fabricitis and as a result I have kept a multitude of quilt and fabric shops in business this year in a number of countries, here are a few of those piles.....

And the creations they helped create for a multitude of special occasions - Daddy's 50th, Granny's birthday, the birth of The Vinster, 2 quilting bees and a ridiculous amount of UFOs

In amongst all of this chaos, the highs, the lows, the hangovers, the laughter, the tears, the weddings, the babies, the break ups, the birthdays, the funerals and the almost start of something wonderful, I have successful managed to lose 31lbs so although I'm dangerously close to becoming Bridget Jones....at least I will be a skinny one!!

Thursday, 30 October 2014

Christmas Bee Round Up

WIP Wednesday was super productive not only did I manage to complete two Bee blocks, but I also got some work done on a secret project for a special little monkey! Smug smile and own back pats coming up!!

First up is the completed Triple Star block that I made for Gemma, she had very specific color choices and color placements as these blocks are intended for a particular place in her house. Although some of the pieces are really small the block itself comes together really nicely and the finished product looks really good.

Next up is my absolute favorite.....Cordelia's Garden, this time in a modern Christmas theme!!

Kona snow was the requested background color, I got mine from the fabulous Plush Addict, if you haven't checked them out you really should, they have a fantastic range of just about everything and their service is really fast. Most of the work for this block is in making the half triangle squares, after that it is just a case of sewing all the squares together.

I just love this block so much, I know I say it a lot but I really really do, no matter what the colors or patterns of the fabric are it just looks great!

I also had a new challenge this month in the form of Ziggy Stardust, Kona white and a jewel color of my choice were the requirements for this one.

Again with this block there are a number of little pieces that make the start of it quite fiddley but they do result in such a cute little star that is the focal point for this block.

I am really happy with this little star, it is my first attempt at this block and I managed to match the points and the seams up rather well. After putting the star together the rest of block comes together in minutes as all the other pieces are larger and just various sized rectangles.

I loved making all these blocks, I mean come on who doesn't like twinkling stars?!

About Me

'I like big bolts and I can not lie....' if this is the theme tune to your life and your days are planned around quilting, then this is the place for you! Welcome to That's Sew Kerry and thank you for stopping by.